CHANGE IN CLASSIFICATION OF CANNABIS

Sir, When I was a student nurse 30 years ago, the teaching we received on
the misuse of drugs was that all drugs, hard or soft, should be considered
dangerous (report, March 19). The rationale behind this was that any drug
might be contaminated prior to purchase; that users may take drugs in
conjunction with other substances, thus rendering them more dangerous; or
that the use of drugs by someone with an existing medical condition may
have a deleterious effect on the user. There is also the unknown and
possibly unknowable risk of a catastrophic allergic reaction to the
substance used, which may trigger severe shock or death.

Yours, Anna Wilbraham